You could buy them a smartphone so they can stay in touch. But maybe you’re not quite ready for that. Another option: Fitbit Ace LTE. It’s Fitbit’s first connected kids smartwatch, designed for ages 7+. And it puts you in control with the dedicated Fitbit Ace app, available for both Android and iOS devices.

To build this device, Google tapped the experts – kids – to learn about the things that really matter to them. Google also worked alongside a panel of industry experts in child psychology, public health, privacy, and digital wellbeing to build a kids watch that motivates children to move more, offers parents peace of mind, and keeps families connected to each other.

Parents try to teach their kids about the benefits of exercise and other healthy activities. But Fitbit learned very quickly that children prefer exercise that feels like play, not a chore. That’s why Google created Fitbit Ace LTE. It’s a smartwatch for kids that’s designed to keep them moving and focuses on their wellbeing, all by harnessing the power of play. 

Experts say a generation of kids is spending 10-plus hours a week gaming⁴, and up to 80% of kids are inadequately active.⁵ While most traditional games don’t encourage exercise, Fitbit Ace LTE uses gaming mechanics to keep children moving. The games are fun, but the exercise is critical for their health. 

Google created the Fitbit Arcade – a collection of games⁶ specially designed to inspire more movement – using input from children. The screentime components of these games were designed to be played in short, snackable intervals, meaning your kids spend less time looking at their watch and more time moving. The rest of the games involve your child jumping, climbing, running, and bouncing as they go about their day.

In doing so, Fitbit Ace LTE helps motivate your kids to set and achieve their own Move Goal, creating a sense of independence that children crave as they approach their teenage years. The device comes automatically set to a goal of 45 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous daily activity, which helps your kids celebrate movement whether they’re at basketball practice or climbing the monkey bars.^6,7

Another perk: Fitbit Ace LTE features unique, limited-edition “smart” bands⁸ that can be collected and even swapped with friends. Each band unlocks new games and customizable digital experiences for your kids that further motivates them to move and hit their goals.⁶

Fitbit Ace LTE is fun for kids, but it was also designed with child safety and privacy in mind. It incorporates extensive feedback and testing from parents and kids. The result: Whether your children are off to a birthday party or it’s their first summer at sleepaway camp, it’s easy for them to stay connected to you – without you needing to buy them a smartphone.⁶ 

Plus, parents get some control over when their kids can play with their smartwatch. The School Time feature, for instance, sets up downtime during the day for the kids, while allowing parents to get in touch in case of something urgent comes up.⁹ If there is an emergency and your child needs to reach you, they can quickly access emergency contacts and Fitbit Ace LTE will automatically call you.¹

Using the Fitbit Ace LTE app,¹⁰ you can also turn on calling and messaging services¹ for up to 20 trusted contacts for your child.¹¹ If your kids can’t reach you, they can call or message these contacts, like grandparents, aunts, or uncles, with the push of a button. 

Another feature that will help put you at ease: Call for Help. It will dial the people you set up as your child’s emergency contacts,¹¹ not 911, so you don’t have to worry about false alarms.

The Fitbit Ace LTE kids smartwatch also lets you keep an eye on your kids with advanced location technology from Google.^2,3 Whether they’re walking to school, heading home from soccer practice, or going to a friend’s house, you can check in and make sure they arrive at their destination, just by tapping a button in the Fitbit Ace app. And all without your child needing a smartphone.